Category Archives: United States

Following the trail of the prescription opioid epidemic and the DEA’s efforts to expose the purveyors.

Marianne Skolek-Perez Global News Centre

(MYRTLE BEACH) In 2013, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) launched an investigation of then-president-elect of the American Academy of Pain Medicine (AAPM) Lynn R. Webster, MD, related to overdose deaths at Webster’s Lifetree Pain Clinic in Salt Lake City. It was alleged there were up to 100 deaths at Webster’s clinic which was raided by the DEA. Webster attributed the deaths to “suicide” and the pain clinic closed its doors. The U.S. Attorney for the District of Utah declined to pursue charges, effectively ending the DEA investigation. US Senator Orrin Hatch (Utah) was rumored to be the force behind charges being dropped against Webster.

(MYRTLE BEACH) This should scare anyone involved in the prescription opioid/heroin epidemic. J. David Haddox, MD, DDS is the “gate keeper” at Purdue Pharma and successfully downplayed the dangers of OxyContin in the late 1990’s. Haddox “coined” a word “pseudo-addiction” without scientific data. The definition of Haddox’s word “pseudo-addiction” is A drug-seeking behavior that simulates true addiction, which occurs in patients with pain who are receiving inadequate pain medication. So Haddox’s message to the medical profession was “more” is appropriate when treating patients with dangerous narcotics — and the medical profession bought it. In the meantime, Haddox’s employer, Purdue Pharma made billions of dollars in the sale of their drug OxyContin — as lives were ended.

Mr. Hatch — it’s called obstruction of justice and I will continue reporting on you until the US Senate Finance Committee investigation on prescription opioids is made public.

Marianne Skolek-Perez Global News Centre

(MYRTLE BEACH) In the 15 years I have been reporting on the prescription opioid epidemic, it has in some ways been frustrating to be a forerunner in exposing the criminal activity of pharma, the FDA, politicians, physicians, pain foundations and organizations profiting from the surging death and addiction rates — while US Senator Orrin Hatch is allowed to obstruct justice.

Marino’s support of Trump in 2016 presidential election may have played into his appointment by the President as Drug Czar

Marianne Skolek-Perez Global News Centre

(MYRTLE BEACH) President Trump announced that he was nominating Rep. Tom Marino (R) of Pennsylvania to head the Office of National Drug Control Policy for the second time. Marino had cited personal reasons for turning down the prestigious position several months ago. His personal reasons “resolved” themselves and Marino was appointed for a second time by Trump. That appointment is now in the U.S. Senate for confirmation.

There is little outrage from the public in Purdue Pharma targeting children as young as 7 years old with yet another Holocaust of death in an FDA approved opioid.

Marianne Skolek-Perez Global News Centre

(MYRTLE BEACH) On September 14, the FDA Advisory Committee will be holding a hearing on Purdue Pharma’s new “blockbuster” opioid called Butrans. It is targeted for severe pain in children ages 7 to 16 years old. There is not a doubt in my mind that once the FDA approves this latest killer opioid presented by Purdue Pharma, it will be off-labeled marketed as OxyContin was for all pain levels. This time though children are the guinea pigs and Purdue Pharma and its owners, the Sacklers will in all probability double their profits.